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December 5, 2007 News for the commercial aviation industry   Company Watch    United will focus on expanding international service, CFO says United Airlines plans to boost international service by 15% over the next three years, a senior executive said. Speaking at an investor conference in New York, Chief Financial Officer Jake Brace said United will not expand domestic operations. Chicago Tribune/Associated Press (12/5) Northwest mulls shrinking cargo business Northwest Airlines is weighing whether to scale back its cargo business next year. The airline will lose its biggest customer, DHL Express. Chief Financial Officer Dave Davis said Northwest is unlikely to sell the cargo business but noted that it is considering selling its frequent flier program. Twincities.com/Associated Press (12/4) Continental says little about industry consolidation Continental Airlines is frequently named as a possible merger partner, but the airline has indicated that it is content to remain independent. TheStreet.com (12/4) Perceptions of high costs hurt US Airways share price, executive says US Airways President Scott Kirby said the airline's sagging stock price reflects investors' perceptions that it has high costs and labor problems. He said US Airways will continue to build its international network over the next few years. American City Business Journals (12/4) Other News Pinnacle pilots authorize strike American City Business Journals (12/4)   Inside Aviation    Groups, states will ask EPA to regulate aircraft emissions Several environmental groups, five states and the District of Columbia are filing a petition urging the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft. They are asking the EPA to set such standards for aircraft and require aircraft operators to improve fuel efficiency, build lighter planes and use cleaner fuels. The Air Transport Association noted that regulation is unnecessary because carriers already work to be as fuel efficient as possible. "We're already driven to do it," ATA Environmental Affairs Vice President Nancy Young said. The Washington Post/Associated Press (12/5), ABC News (12/5), The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (12/5), The Salt Lake Tribune (Utah) (12/5), San Diego Union-Tribune (12/5) Some airlines scale back capacity increases for 2008 Several large airlines say higher fuel prices and the slowing economy have prompted them to reduce domestic capacity growth in 2008. Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines and Southwest Airlines are among the carriers that say they will add fewer seats next year. Carriers note that concerns about the economy have not affected demand for business travel yet. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (12/5), NYTimes.com/Bloomberg (12/5), Air Transport World (12/5), The Dallas Morning News (free registration) (12/5), Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas) (12/5), The Washington Post/Associated Press (12/4), The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Cox News Service (12/5) Airbus mulls assembling commercial jets in Alabama The effects of the soaring euro may prompt Airbus to relocate production for some commercial jets to a plant in Alabama and other parts of the U.S, writes David Gow in the Guardian. The Guardian (London) (12/4) Airbus will order some A350 parts from Japan: A decision by Airbus to order more than 5% of the A350 component parts from Japanese firms demonstrates that it is hoping to increase its market penetration in Japan. The Seattle Times/Bloomberg (12/5) Do you have a passion for airline marketing and are you seeking a leadership position that is highly visible and makes a real difference? US Airways is seeking an experienced Manager, Marketing and Communications to work within the Marketing team at its corporate headquarters in Tempe, Arizona. To be considered for this rare marketing leadership position, click here to apply with US Airways.   Regulatory Update  TSA aims to meet federal cargo screening goal All cargo transported by passenger aircraft will be screened per federal regulations by 2010, TSA Administrator Kip Hawley said. World Trade Magazine (12/2007) DOT undersecretary will leave department, report says Undersecretary of Transportation Jeffrey Shane will leave the department, according to media reports. Further details were not immediately available. Shane took the position in March 2003. Aviation Daily (12/4) Other News Study: High risk of runway collisions occurring in the U.S. Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Ill.)/Associated Press (12/5) TSA improves how it handles sensitive data Federal Computer Week (12/4)   Make ATA SmartBrief part of your 2008 marketing plan! ATA SmartBrief is a cost-effective way to reach over 40,000 aviation industry executives. To learn more, click here or contact Eric Hoffman at ehoffman@smartbrief.com or (773) 549-3868.   The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS) Travel Protection Plans Designed for Airline Industry Employees Eligible for industry-free/reduced-rate airline fares? You may be eligible to purchase Insider's Club plans! ANNUAL plans begin at USD 24.95. Plans include travel accident protection, baggage protection and more. Visit www.uatptravelprotection.com for details and to enroll today! Interested in learning more about advertising in ATA SmartBrief? Contact Jim Eubanks at (202) 407-7822 or jeubanks@smartbrief.com.     Industry Trends  Airlines may continue to raise fares amid soaring oil prices, expert says Airline fares have increased sharply over the past few months, said Rick Seaney, owner of FareCompare, a Web site that tracks ticket prices. In a Q-and-A with the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Seaney said the high price of oil may continue to push fares higher. "But clearly there's a tipping point somewhere, particularly for business travelers. At some point, they skip the trip and do their business on a conference call," he said. Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas) (12/5)   SmartQuote  If A is success in life, then A equals X plus Y plus Z. Work is X; Y is play; and Z is keeping your mouth shut." --Albert Einstein, German-born Swiss-American physicist   Subscriber Tools       Print friendly format | Web version | Search past news | Archive | Privacy policy Grab our News Widget   Advertise Sales Account Director: Jim Eubanks (202) 407-7822 Download Media Kit Job Board:  Celia Rothschild (202) 470-1159   About ATA Founded in 1936, the Air Transport Association of America, Inc. (ATA) is the nation's oldest and largest airline trade association, representing the leading U.S. airlines. ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the association's fundamental purpose is to foster a business and regulatory environment that ensures safe and secure air transportation and permits U.S. airlines to flourish, stimulating economic growth locally, nationally and internationally. 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